Prospect Talent Score

Probability of Success

History

2010-11: Vitek Vanecek played for the HC Havlickuv Brod club in his hometown — appearing in one game with the club’s U18 team — and playing 12 games for the U18 squad. He was 0-1, stopping 24 of 30 shots, in his only U18 game. Vanecek was 1-6 for HC Havlickuv’s U16 team with a 4.35 goals against and .874 save percentage.

2011-12: Vanecek played seven games for the HC Havlickuv U18 team and became the starter for the club’s U16 team. He was 3-4 with a 4.09 goals against and .915 save percentage in U18 play. Vanecek was 8-19 with one shutout in 27 games and had a 3.49 goals against and .899 save percentage with HC Havlickuv’s U16 squad.

2012-13: Vanecek made his debut at the U20 level — playing two games in the second division with HC Havlickuv Brod — and represented the Czech Republic in international play with the U17 squad. He had a 2.00 goals against in U20 play. Vanecek was 2-6 with a 4.59 goals against and .853 save percentage in eight games for the Czech U17 team. Vanecek was a bright spot in an otherwise dreadful season for HC Havlickuv’s last-place U18 team. In 31 games he was 2-29, posting a respectable 3.33 goals against and .924 save percentage. In five relegation playoff games he was 2-3 with a 2.53 goals against and .938 save percentage.

2013-14: Vanecek went from HC Havlickuv Brod to Bili Tygri Liberec in the top division after playing for the Czech Republic’s U18 team in the 2013 Ivan Hlinka Memorial Tournament in August. He also played for the Czech Republic at the 2013 World Junior A Challenge in Canada and at the 2014 U18 World Junior Championship. Vanecek was 2-1 with a 2.31 goals against and .905 save percentage at the Ivan Hlinka tournament and had a 4.50 goals against and .862 save percentage in two games with the Czech U19 team at the WJAC. Vanecek played all seven games for the silver medal-winning U18 squad at the WJC and was 5-2 with both losses coming against the USA, including a 5-2 loss in the gold medal game. For the tournament he posted a 2.74 goals against and .897 save percentage. Vanecek was ranked eighth amongst International goaltenders in the Central Scouting final rankings and was selected by Washington in the second round (39th overall) in the 2014 NHL Draft.

Talent Analysis

Vaněček is an athletic, 6-foot-1 and 181-pound goaltender who uses his reflexes, a quick glove and blocker to stone the opponents. He's been able to make big saves all season long, relying on his reflexes and athleticism. On the other hand, he's been suffering from inconsistency as he sometimes just has a bad day. Not only has Vaněček been an efficient netminder in junior hockey, but he's also made the first couple of steps towards the professional leagues.

Future

Vanecek was impressive in Washington's development camp, signing a three-year entry-level contract with the Capitals in July 2014. Loaned to Czech Extraliga second division club HC Benatky nad Jizerou for the 2014-15 season, he has also skated for Bili Tygri Liberec in the first division and was in net for the Czech Republic U20 team at the 2015 World Juniors. As with any young goaltenders forecasting the future is tough but Vanecek's skill set and development to this point suggests he can be a Jon Quick-type, high energy goaltender, who relies on his reflexes and anticipatory skills to stop goals. Whether he can reach that level of success is uncertain.